Materials Design and Optimization for Performance

The course “Materials Design and Optimization for Performance” aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to design and optimize materials for enhanced performance in various applications. The course focuses on the fundamental principles, methodologies, and techniques involved in the design, selection, and optimization of materials to meet specific performance requirements.

Through a combination of theoretical lectures, practical exercises, and case studies, students will explore the key factors that influence material performance, including mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties. They will learn how to identify performance criteria, evaluate material property-performance relationships, and develop strategies to design and optimize materials accordingly.

The course will cover a range of topics, including materials selection, materials databases, computational modeling, structure-property relationships, multi-objective optimization, and design for manufacturability. Students will gain an understanding of how materials processing, microstructure, and composition impact the performance of materials in different applications.

Moreover, the course will focus on advanced materials, such as composites, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, and their specific design considerations. Students will explore techniques for tailoring material properties through microstructural control, alloying, phase transformations, surface modifications, and composite reinforcement.

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge through practical exercises, computer simulations, and design projects. They will learn to use software tools and simulation techniques to predict and optimize material properties and performance.

Additionally, the course will emphasize the importance of sustainability, environmental impact, and lifecycle considerations in materials design and optimization. Students will explore strategies for developing materials with improved performance while minimizing environmental footprint and resource consumption.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired a comprehensive understanding of materials design and optimization principles. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze performance requirements, select appropriate materials, optimize material properties, and contribute to the development of high-performance materials for various industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, electronics, and more.

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of materials science and engineering, including materials structure, properties, and characterization. Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software and basic understanding of mathematical optimization concepts is recommended but not mandatory.